Looks like some recessive gene was triggered for a bit. Not sure if there is a cladogram out there somewhere for Shlumbergera to know what it might be or what to look for.

tj

How odd, really interesting.

Thanks, What's strange also is the fact that it is only that section and then reverts back to normal.

Looks like an Easter cactus in your pictures. Producing a reaction to growing conditions of ordinary household interior. Put in a bright greenhouse it would not do that. With orchid cacti being apt to produce lots of long, stringy, cylindrical and bristly growth under similar circumstances.

So this growth is from not so good growing conditions and would not happen if given ideal conditions?

Schlumbergera opuntioides puts forth growth of a similar nature and is native to some of the same areas as many Schlumbergera spp.

Possibly been influenced by another species?

Stush, I think it's the opposite, extra-vigorous and healthy new growth. I've seen a lot of epiphytic cacti do that, like Rina said.

Since I never experienced it on mine, I would say great growing conditions would produce this since mine are kept poorly. Maybe three months out of the year they are kept well.